Paige Bueckers and Alyssa Thomas Ready to Return to the Court
WNBA stars Paige Bueckers, the number 1 draft pick in April, and Alyssa Thomas, a perennial MVP candidate, are set to return to action this Wednesday. The expected match will take place between the Dallas Wings and the Phoenix Mercury in Phoenix. Bueckers has missed the last four Dallas Wings games due to a concussion and subsequently an illness, while Thomas has been absent for the last five games due to a calf injury. Bueckers had already cleared concussion protocol after a three-game absence, but then missed Sunday’s game against the Minnesota Lynx due to illness.Wings coach Chris Koclanes also added that there will be no minute restrictions for Bueckers. The 6-foot guard and UConn national champion averages 14.7 points (second on the team), 6.7 assists (third in the league), 4.7 rebounds, and 2.0 steals in six games. Her 34 minutes per game are the most on the team. The Wings have a 1-9 record, the worst in the league, and announced on Tuesday that guard Ty Harris (knee) will miss the rest of the 2025 season after undergoing surgery. They are also short on players with center Teaira McCowan leaving for EuroBasket and center Luisa Geiselsoder also leaving for the event later this week.She has been working behind the scenes and is ready to play, we will be ready for tomorrow.
Chris Koclanes, Wings coach
Before being sidelined, Thomas had a stellar start for the Mercury, her new team after having played her entire career with the Connecticut Sun, averaging 15.2 points, 8.0 assists, 7.6 rebounds, and 1.8 steals per game. This is the longest period that Thomas, known for her toughness and durability, has been out of play in a WNBA season since she missed time due to a ruptured Achilles tendon in 2021.
Both Thomas and Mack are officially doubtful for Wednesday’s match. Phoenix has been one of the pleasant surprises of the 2025 WNBA campaign so far: After overhauling their roster in the offseason, including the departure of Diana Taurasi (retirement) and Brittney Griner (free agency), the Mercury have a 6-4 start, which puts them in fourth place in the standings. All this without Kahleah Copper, the centerpiece returning from their new Big Three, which also includes Thomas and Satou Sabally, and Mack (back) to start the season. Even without Thomas, Phoenix didn’t completely falter, with a record of 2-3, one of those losses by only three points to the Minnesota Lynx. Copper was ruled out of the opening weekend for four to six weeks after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his left knee.The plan is for AT to play. She has been going in the right direction. She had a very good day today, her and [Natasha] Mack. I’m excited to have them back.
Nate Tibbetts, Mercury coach
